Some residents of Newscastle are now fearful of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after South Africa paused its use when it became known that it could be associated with dangerous blood clots.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize announced, on 13 April, the voluntary suspension of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine roll-out in the country. In a media briefing, Mkhize said that the decision was taken following the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation to temporarily pause the J&J vaccine programme in the United States. An elderly member of the community, Cherylene Abbot, 68, says that she is now reluctant to take the vaccination. “I have been eagerly awaiting this vaccine but when one hears stories like this of people getting clots in their lungs it is very scary to even think about. I think all of us are stuck between a rock and a hard place at this point in time. You either get the vaccination and risk any potential side effects or get the coronavirus and risk dying. My intention was to get the vaccine and eventually go and visit my two children in Birmigham. Right now I am really unsure about the vaccination,” she explained.
Her Husband Greg Abbot, 72, feels the same way. “I was under the impression that the J&J vaccine was the safest. I was all for getting the vaccine and now I don’t think I will feel safe taking it. Maybe if we had a choice of which to take, in my opinion I would go for the Pfizer Biontech vaccine. Until safety has been ensured I will just wait and see,” said Abbot. South Africa has further announced a successful 10 million doses from from Pfizer. “Based on their advice, we have determined to voluntarily suspend our roll-out until the casual relationship between the development of clots and the J&J vaccine is sufficiently interrogated,” he said. He further explained that it is important to be aware that with any vaccine it is essential to closely monitor its safety and efficacy. “If a problem is reported following a vaccination, a thorough investigation should take place,” he explained.
The Minister also reiterated the fact that in South Africa, there have not been any reports of clots that have formed after vaccination, and this is after 289 787 healthcare workers have been safely inoculated under the Sisonke Protocol. From 16 April citizens aged 60 years and above should enroll on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) on http://vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za/ to register for their vaccines. Internet access on any device (cellphone, tablet, desktop etc), your ID number or passport number and general contact information (your cellphone number) are required to register.
